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United States Patent | 6,052,975 |
Kraus ,   et al. | April 25, 2000 |
Self propelled harvesting apparatus for processing plant material. The apparatus comprises a pair of cylindrical crushing rolls for crushing plant material and a rotor with radial fins operably associated with the rolls for impacting the crushed plant material. A hood is associated with the impact rotor for redirecting impacted plant material back to the rotor for reimpacting the plant material and to provide severely conditioned plant material. A press assembly presses the severely conditioned plant material and subsequently discharges a cohesive mat of compressed plant material from the harvesting apparatus onto the stubble in the field over which the apparatus is being operated.
Inventors: | Kraus; Timothy J. (Honey Brook, PA); Haldeman; Peter P. (Reinholds, PA); Shinners; Kevin J. (Madison, WI) |
Assignee: | New Holland North America, Inc. (New Holland, PA) |
Appl. No.: | 264183 |
Filed: | March 9, 1999 |
Current U.S. Class: | 56/16.4B; 56/16.4A; 56/DIG.1; 56/DIG.2 |
Intern'l Class: | A01D 061/00 |
Field of Search: | 56/16.4 B,14.5,6,16.4 A,164 C,16.6,DIG. 1,DIG. 2,504,505 |
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